A BD66.4 million contract was awarded Sunday for the first and second phase of dredging and reclamation work for the new Northern Town, which will consist of more than 15,000 homes. According to the GDN, the agreement was signed between Bahrain's Works and Housing Minister Fahmi Al Jowder and Boskalis Westminster Middle East director Kyriakos Vanakas.

The first two phases of the project, which will incorporate 10 reclaimed islands between them, is aimed at easing the housing problems in the Northern Governorate.

The first phase of reclamation, which will be completed in 12 months, consists of two main islands with a combined area of 290 hectares.